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Aetiology or etiology

This is a classic case of spelling difference between American English and British English.

Etiology or aetiology is most commonly used as a medical term for the cause of a certain disease. It is also the name of the field of medicine focused on finding the cause of conditions or diseases.

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Outside the United States we find aetiology, aetiologies, aetiologic, aetiological, and aetiologically.

Examples

Using as a case study Robert Burton’s 1621 book, The Anatomy of Melancholy, Kendler observed that before the middle of the 19th century, mental disorders were not thought to have a single, clear aetiology; on the contrary, Burton provides a mind-boggling list of possible causes for melancholy. [Practical Ethics]

In their paper, published in BMC Veterinary Research, they explain that C. pseudotuberculosis is the aetiological agent of caseous lymphadenitis, a common disease in small ruminant populations throughout the world and responsible for a significant economic impact for producers. [The Pig Site]

And inside the United States we have etiology, etiologies, etiologic, etiological, and etiologically.